Saturday, May 14: 'Stamp Out Hunger'

Help “Stamp Out Hunger.”

The 24th annual National Association of Letter Carriers’ “Stamp Out Hunger” Food Drive is Saturday, May 14.

The top requested non-perishable food items are: cereal, pasta, pasta sauce or spaghetti sauce, rice, canned fruits and vegetables, canned meals (such as soups, chili and pasta), 100% juice, peanut butter, macaroni & cheese, canned protein (tuna, chicken and turkey), beans (canned or dry).

Just leave your non-perishable donations at your mailbox prior to your regular delivery. Carriers (city or rural) will pick up your canned goods for distribution to a food bank/pantry, and then to individuals who are in need in your community.

Starr Hunter, NALC Branch 1690 Food Drive Coordinator/Letter Carrier, Palms Central Carrier Annex (left) is making her appointed rounds to promote the Food Drive on Saturday, May 14. Also pictured are WRFM Radio Vice President, Community Relations Sari Vatske (center) and Host Tracy St. George (right). Photo: West Palm Beach Customer Relations Coordinator Curlita Rogers-Saunders. 

History:

The NALC National Food Drive is the outgrowth of a tradition of community service exhibited repeatedly by members of the letter carriers union over the years. These carriers, who go into neighborhoods in every town six days a week, have always been involved when something needed to be done, whether it be collecting funds for a charity like the Muscular Dystrophy Association, watching over the elderly through the Carrier Alert program, assisting the American Red Cross during time of disaster, or rescuing victims of fires, crime, and other mishaps.

For many years, a number of branches had collected food for the needy as part of their community service effort. Discussions were held by the NALC, U.S. Postal Service and AFL-CIO Community Services Department to explore a coordinated effort. A pilot drive was held in 10 cities in October, 1991, and it proved so successful that work began immediately on making it a nationwide effort.

Input from food banks and pantries suggested that late spring would be the best time since by then most food banks in the country start running out of donations received during the Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday periods.

A revamped drive was organized for May 15, 1993—the second Saturday in May—with a goal of having at least one NALC branch in each of the 50 states participating. The result was astounding. More than 11 million pounds of food was collected—a one-day record in the United States—involving more than 220 union branches.

From Alaska to Florida and Maine to Hawaii, letter carriers did double duty—delivering mail and picking up donations. It just grew and grew from that point.

In 2010, the food drive surpassed the 1 billion pound park in total food collected over its history.

Need Passport? First Stop: Hollywood

Planning a vacation? Make the Hollywood Main Office at 1801 Polk Street, Hollywood, FL, the first stop of your journey. There’s a Passport Fair scheduled Saturday, May 21, 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 Noon.

Postal employees who attend the Passport Fair are reminded that their participation will be an off-the-clock activity.

Here's what you'll need:

1. Proof of American citizenship or naturalization (a state-issued certified birth certificate with parents’

information, a previous offi­cial passport, or a naturalization certificate if you are foreign-born)

2. One officially acceptable state or government photo ID (a driver’s license or military ID) 

3. If passport is for a minor, both parents and child must be present.

4. One recent photograph that meets specific passport requirements (Photo opportunities --- two for $15  --- at the Passport Fair.)

5. Passport application, which can be downloaded www.travel.state.gov and should be completed in black ink prior to visiting the Post Office.  Please do not sign the form ahead of time.

6. Payment for services rendered:         

                                        Adult (16 Yrs & Older)  Minor (Under 16 Yrs)

Passport Book & Card         $140.00                             $95.00

Passport Book:                    $110.00                              $80.00

Passport Card:                     $ 30.00                              $15.00

Passport fees are payable to the U.S. Department of State via personal check or money order. Each passport application requires a $25 execution fee payable to the U.S. Postal Service which accepts debit or credit card, cash, check, or money order. You may purchase money orders at the retail counter.

Key West Post Office Seeks CCAs

The U.S. Postal Service is seeking applicants for City Carrier Assistant (CCA) positions in Key West. Online applications are being accepted through Wednesday, April 27, 2016.

The starting salary for a City Carrier Assistant is $16.06 per hour. Work hours will vary, and an employee may work up to six days a week, including Sundays and holidays.  

A CCA is responsible for the prompt and efficient delivery and collection of mail. A CCA travels planned routes to deliver and collect mail and typically cover routes on foot or  by vehicle. Work is  outdoors in all kinds of weather. An applicant must have a current valid state driver’s license and a safe driving record; and must be physically prepared to do a job that requires standing, walking, reaching, and sometimes handling heavy packages. An applicant must have good vision (corrective lenses permitted).

A CCA acts as a representative of the U.S. Postal Service and must have good character and maintain pleasant and effective public relations with customers and others. As appearance influences the public’s confidence in, and attitude toward, the U.S. Postal Service, a CCA must  maintain neat and proper personal attire and grooming appropriate to conducting public business.

Apply at www.usps.com/employment.

Celebrating Nat'l Parks: Acadia, ME

A stamp image featuring a stunning photograph of Acadia National Park’s Bass Harbor Head Light is one of 16 Forever stamp images to be revealed over a three week period to celebrate the National Park Service’s 100th anniversary.

The June 2 first-day-of-issue ceremony for the National Parks Forever stamps pane will take place at New York City’s Javits Center at 11 a.m. as part of World Stamp Show-NY 2016. Dedication ceremonies also will take place at or near each of the National Parks depicted on the stamps. Individuals are asked to spread the news on social media by using the hashtags #FindYourPark or #NPS100.

Acadia National Park, Bar Harbor, ME
The stamp image depicting the Bass Harbor Head Light was photographed by David Muench. People have been drawn to the rugged coast of Maine throughout history. Awed by its beauty and diversity, early 20th-century visionaries donated the land that became Acadia National Park. The park is home to many plants and animals, and the tallest mountain on the U.S. Atlantic coast. Today visitors come to Acadia to hike granite peaks, bike historic carriage roads, or relax and enjoy the scenery. For more information on Acadia, visit this link.

Celebrating National Parks: Bandelier National Monument in New Mexico

A 1930s painting by renowned artist Helmuth Naumer depicting the Pueblo Revival-style visitor center at Bandelier National Monument near Los Alamos, NM, is one of 16 Forever stamp images to be revealed over a three week period to celebrate the National Park Service’s 100th anniversary.

Bandelier National Monument, NM
The stamp image is a 1935–1936 pastel-on-paper depiction by Helmuth Naumer, Sr. (1907–1990) of the visitor center in Frijoles Canyon. Bandelier National Monument protects over 33,000 acres of rugged, beautiful canyon and mesa country as well as evidence of a human presence here going back more than 11,000 years. Petroglyphs, dwellings carved into the soft rock cliffs, and standing masonry walls pay tribute to the early days of a culture that still survives in the surrounding communities. Visit this link for information on this national treasure.

Celebrating Nat'l Parks:Grand Canyon

An iconic painting of one of the seven natural wonders of the world — the Grand Canyon — is one of16 Forever Stamp images to be revealed over a three-week period to celebrate the National Park Service’s 100th anniversary. 
 
Grand Canyon National Park, AZ
The stamp image is a detail of a chromolithograph-on-canvas, “The Grand Canyon of Arizona, from Hermit Rim Road,” by artist Thomas Moran (1837–1926). Unique combinations of geologic color and erosional forms decorate a canyon that is 277 river miles long, up to 18 miles wide and one mile deep. Grand Canyon overwhelms our senses through its immense size. Visit this link for more information about the park.

Celebrating Nat'l Parks: Glacier Bay

A stunning photograph of Glacier Bay is one of 16 Forever Stamp images to be revealed over a three-week period to celebrate the National Park Service’s 100th anniversary.

Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve, AK
The stamp image is a photograph by Tom Bean of Flagstaff, AZ. Covering 3.3 million acres of rugged mountains, dynamic glaciers, temperate forests, wild coastlines and deep sheltered fjords, Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve is a highlight of Alaska’s Inside Passage and part of a 25-million acre World Heritage Site — one of the world’s largest international protected areas. From sea to summit, Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve offers limitless opportunities for adventure and inspiration. Visit this link for more information.

Celebrating National Parks: Carlsbad Caverns in New Mexico

 A dramatic photograph of the interior of Carlsbad Caverns is one of 16 Forever Stamp images to be revealed over a three-week period to celebrate the National Park Service’s 100th anniversary. 

Carlsbad Caverns National Park, NM
The stamp image is a photograph by Richard McGuire of the interior of the caverns. High ancient sea ledges, deep rocky canyons, flowering cacti and desert wildlife are all treasures above and below the Chihuahuan Desert ground. Carlsbad Cavern is one of more than 300 limestone caves in a fossil reef laid down by an inland sea 240 million to 280 million years ago. Visit this link for more information.
The June 2 first-day-of-issue ceremony for the National Parks Forever Stamps pane will take place at New York City’s Javits Center at 11 a.m. as part of World Stamp Show-NY 2016. Dedication ceremonies will also take place at or near each of the National Parks depicted on the stamps. Individuals are asked to spread the news on social media by using the hashtags #NPSStamps, #FindYourPark and #NPS100.

Legends of Hollywood Stamp Series Adds Shirley 'Curly Top' Temple

Today Shirley Temple becomes the 20th inductee into the Postal Service’s Legends of Hollywood series.  

As a child she was the most famous film star in the world. As an adult, Shirley Temple Black had a distinguished career in diplomacy, serving as delegate to the United Nations, U.S. Ambassador to Ghana and Czechoslovakia and U.S. Chief of Protocol. She received the Kennedy Center Honors in 1998 and a lifetime achievement award from the Screen Actors Guild in 2006.

The stamp art for this Forever stamp features a painting by Tim O’Brien based on a 1935 still image from Curly Top, one of her iconic rolls in movies. The selvage, or area outside of the stamps, features a publicity photo from the 1933 short film “Managed Money.” Ethel Kessler of Bethesda, MD, was the art director for the stamp.

Recognizing a Job Well Done

A/Manager, Customer Services Lesley Jerome (left) recognizes Letter Carrier Alastair Duff (right) for his contributions to the success of Fort Lauderdale's Melrose Vista Branch. Photo: Kelly Worthman, Fort Lauderdale Customer Relations Coordinator

Featuring Everglades National Park

A setting sun photograph of pinelands and grasses in the United States’ largest subtropical wilderness — Everglades National Park — was previewed as the sixth of 16 Forever Stamp images to be revealed over a three-week period to celebrate the National Park Service’s 100th anniversary. 

Everglades National Park, FL
The stamp image is a photograph by Paul Marcellini of Miami, FL. Spanning the south Florida peninsula from Miami to Naples and south to the Florida Keys, Everglades National Park’s 1.5 million acres of sawgrass prairies, tropical hardwood hammocks, pine rocklands, mangrove forests and marine and estuarine waters provide habitat for a wildlife spectacle like no other. Crocodiles, alligators, manatees, flamingos, herons and turtles are just a small sampling of wildlife that can be seen here. Visit this link for more information about the park.

The June 2 first-day-of-issue ceremony for the National Parks Forever Stamps pane will take place at New York City’s Javits Center at 11 a.m. as part of World Stamp Show-NY 2016. Dedication ceremonies will also take place at or near each of the National Parks depicted on the stamps. Individuals are asked to spread the news on social media by using the hashtags #FindYourPark, #NPS100 or #NPSStamps.

World Stamp Show-NY 2016 will take place May 28–June 4. Held only once a decade, this mega event is not to be missed by beginners through advanced stamp collectors alike. 

There will be something for everyone there, no matter what you collect. Stamp collecting is a hobby for a lifetime. No matter what your specialty, you’ll find it at the show.

Celebrating National Parks: Assateague Island Seashore, MD & VA

Wild horses of Maryland’s and Virginia’s Assateague Island National Seashore is one of 16 Forever Stamp images to be revealed over a three-week period to celebrate the National Park Service’s 100th anniversary. 

A photograph by Tim Fitzharris of Fayetteville, AR, was used to create the image.

Assateague Island National Seashore, MD and VA
This barrier island is a tale of constant movement and change. Explore sandy beaches, salt marshes, maritime forests and coastal bays. Bands of wild horses freely roam amongst plants and native animals that have adapted to a life of sand, salt and wind. Visit this linkf or more information about Assateague Island National Seashore. 

Trading Plantation for Boston

Plantation Supervisor, Customer Services Nancy Rowell is heading to Boston, MA, as Supervisor, Customer Services at the Dorchester Center. From left: Plantation A/Manager, Customer Services Vanessa Cooper, and Supervisors Customer Services Tony Catania and Nancy Rowell. Photo: Kelly Worthman, Fort Lauderdale Customer Relations Coordinator

Celebrating Career Milestones in WPB

West Palm Beach Main Office Window Unit (MOWU) Retail Associates Patricia Moody (far left) and Regina Betancourt (far right) were recognized for 30-plus years of service. Also pictured are West Palm Beach A/Manager, Customer Service Operations Pablo Estupinan (second from left) and Supervisor, Customer Services Stacey Hill (second from right). Photo: Curlita Rogers-Saunders, West Palm Beach Customer Relations Coordinator

Tips for Tax Day, Monday, April 18

West Palm Beach Main Office Window Unit Retail Associate Pat Moody is all smiles during last year's tax season. Moody is ready to assist a deluge of customers expected to mail their income tax returns on Monday, April 18. Photo: Karin Nolf

If you have not yet filed your 2015 income tax return, you have a few extra days … Tax Day is Monday, April 18. The regular tax return filing deadline is April 15. However, due to the Washington D.C. Emancipation Day holiday being observed on April 15 instead of April 16, 2016, Tax Day is the following Monday.

Tax Day Tips:

• Mail early in the day at any Post Office.  Be sure to verify Post Office hours of operation.

• If depositing a tax return in a collection box on April 18, double check the pick-up time on the collection box. Your tax envelope must be deposited prior to the last scheduled pick-up time posted to receive the April 18 postmark. 

• Affix the correct postage. Some tax returns include many forms and require additional postage. For First-Class letter-sized envelopes, one ounce is 47 cents and 21 cents for each additional ounce. A two-ounce letter-sized envelope is 68 cents. A First-Class flat-sized (8 ½ X 11) envelope, the cost is 94 cents up to one ounce and 21 cents for each additional ounce. That’s $1.15 for a two-ounce flat-sized envelope.

• Customers may purchase postage at the retail counter or at a Self-Service Ship and Mail Center (credit/debit card only) in the Post Office lobby. Stamps also are available at alternate retail access locations posted at usps.com.

• Due to heightened security, mail that bears only postage stamps and weighs more than 13 ounces must be taken by the customer to a Post Office retail counter.

     Products and services: 

Priority Mail Express Service gets your tax return to many locations the next day guaranteed or your money back. Priority Mail Express includes online tracking and signature at delivery.

Priority Mail Service gets your tax return delivered in an average of 2-3 days. Priority Mail with USPS Tracking provides a receipt of mailing for recordkeeping purposes and allows the customer to confirm electronically at usps.com, or at 1-800-222-1811, that the mailing was delivered to the Internal Revenue Service.

First-Class Mail Service is an efficient, economical option to mail your return with the all-important April 18 postmark.

Proof of Mailing Services provide customers with peace of mind. Services prove that you mailed your tax return, verify that it was delivered or both: 

• Certificate of Mailing - This receipt shows evidence you mailed your tax return.
• Certified Mail - This receipt proves you mailed your tax return and provides online access to verify the date and time of delivery.
• Return Receipt - This receipt verifies both mailing and delivery, returning to you a postcard signed by the person who received your package. 

Click-N-Ship Online Service allows you to print Priority Mail Express and Priority Mail labels, with or without postage, from any computer.

In 2015, the Miami GMF parking lot was transformed into a drive-through for the convenience of last-minute tax filers. On Monday, April 18, the tradition will continue. L to R: Miami Processing and Distribution Center Postal Support Employee (PSE) Clerk Rosalyn Montalvo, Mail Handler Ramona Johnson, Mail Handler Rose Fraga, Clerk Dedra Goudas, and Mail Handler Althea Atkins from last year's drive-through. Photo: Debra J. Fetterly

Celebrating Women's History Month

On March 30, Manager, Post Office Operations Area 6 hosted a Women’s History Month luncheon at Callaro’s Steak House in Lake Worth. Approximately 60 employees from Fort Pierce to Deerfield Beach elected to attend this event on their own time.

Lake Worth Mayor Pam Triolo, was the guest speaker who shared her thoughts on the 2016 theme, “Working to Form a More Perfect Union: Honoring Women in Public Service and Government.” Her remarks were follwed by a question and answer segment with several females in leadership roles in the district. Participants included

Postal Inspector-Team Leader Claudia Angel; Manager, Operations Programs Support Janice Atherly; A/Plant Manager, West Palm Beach Processing and Distribution Center (P&DC) Beverly McCants; Manager, Human Resources Jann Miller; and Officer In Charge (OIC) Hollywood, FL, Phyllis Reed. Photo: Curlita Rogers-Saunders, West Palm Beach Customer Relations Coordinator

Recognizing Our WPB Million Milers

West Palm Beach Officer In Charge (OIC) Joe Molfetto(far right)  recognized Wellington Carrier Annex Letter Carriers Kelly Grant, Juanita June and Grace West for driving more than a million miles without a preventable accident. This trio earned membership in the National Safety Council’s Million Mile Safe Driver Club. Front Row from left:  Supervisor, Customer Services Mukesh Parekh; Letter Carriers Juanita June, Kelly Grant, and Grace West; and Molfetto. Back Row: Wellington Carrier Annex Manager, Customer Services Joe Hawk. Photo: Curlita Rogers-Saunders, West Palm Beach Customer Relations Coordinator

West Palm Beach Officer In Charge (OIC) Joe Molfetto (far right) congratulated five Palm Beach Gardens Letter Carriers who earned the National Safety Council’s Million Mile Safe Driver Award. From left: Palm Beach Gardens A/Supervisor, Customer Services Khristian Schlemmer; Manager, Customer Services Virginia Rhodes; Letter Carriers Edna Alejandro, Harry Creech, Deirdre O’Donnell, and Earl Harmon; Supervisor, Customer Services Reyna Valle and Molfetto: Not pictured: Letter Carrier John Booth. Photo: Curlita Rogers-Saunders, West Palm Beach Customer Relations Coordinator

Wellington Retail Associate Retires

Wellington, FL, Station Retail Associate Catherine Barulic retired after a 36-year career. From left: Wellington, FL, A/Manager, Customer Services Michelle Cooper Wilson; Supervisor, Customer Services Tim Price; Retail Associate Catherine Barulic; and Supervisor, Customer Services Cheryl Granville. Photo: Curlita Rogers-Saunders, West Palm Beach Customer Relations Coordinator

Celebrating Nat'l Parks: Arches in UT

The U.S. Postal Service previewed the one of its 6 Forever stamps commemorating the centennial of the National Park Service. The 16 stamps, intended to represent the diversity of areas in our national park system, are being previewed over the next three weeks.

Arches National Park, Moab, UT
The stamp image is a photograph by Tom Till of Moab, UT, and represents the iconic Delicate Arch. Delicate Arch is just one of more than 2,000 stone arches in a park that contains the greatest density of natural arches in the world. The park is a landscape of contrasting colors, landforms and textures with thousands of natural stone arches, hundreds of soaring pinnacles, massive fins and giant balanced rocks. Visit this link for more information about Arches National Park and this link to download the Arches Visitor Guide.

Palmetto Lakes Branch to Host Passport Fair on Sunday, April 17

Planning a vacation? Make the Palmetto Lakes Branch at 5375 NW 159 Street, Miami Lakes, FL, the first stop of your journey. There’s a Passport Fair scheduled Sunday, April 17, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 Noon. There’s no need to schedule an appointment – it will be first come, first served until the sign in log is filled.

Postal employees who attend the Passport Fair are reminded that their participation will be an off-the-clock activity.

Here's what you'll need:

1. Proof of American citizenship or naturalization (a state-issued certified birth certificate with parents’

information, a previous offi­cial passport, or a naturalization certificate if you are foreign-born)

2. One officially acceptable state or government photo ID (a driver’s license or military ID) 

3. If passport is for a minor, both parents and child must be present.

4. One recent photograph that meets specific passport requirements (Palmetto Lakes Branch will offer photo opportunities --- two for $15 --- at the Passport Fair.)

5. Passport application, which can be downloaded www.travel.state.gov and should be completed in black ink prior to visiting the Post Office.  Please do not sign the form ahead of time.

6. Payment for services rendered:         

                          Adult (16 Yrs and Older)               Minor (Under 16 Yrs)

Passport Book 
& Card:                          $140.00                                           $95.00

Passport Book:               $110.00                                           $80.00

Passport Card:               $   30.00                                          $15.00

Passport fees are payable to the U.S. Department of State via personal check or money order. Each passport application requires a $25 execution fee payable to the U.S. Postal Service which accepts debit or credit card, cash, check, or money order. You may purchase money orders at the retail counter.

Midport Station Has a New Manager

Louis Esposito

Let's give a warm South Florida welcome to Louis Esposito who is the new Manager, Customer Services, Midport Station, Port St. Lucie, FL.

Esposito started his career as a clerk in New Hyde Park, NY, in 1986. He then became a Letter Carrier and then promoted to Supervisor, Customer Services,  Floral Park, NY. He worked as A/Manager, Customer Services, Steinway Station, Long Island City, NY, and was promoted to Manager, Customer Services, Bellerose Jamaica, NY.

In 2007, Esposito transferred to Vero Beach, FL, and became Manager, Customer Services, Vero Beach, FL, Main Post Office. 

180,000 Share Voice on Postal Pulse; Now Can Share Ideas at 844-303-6424

USPS. thanks all employees who took time to let their voices be heard through the Postal Pulse survey.

Approximately 180,000 employees participated in the survey, which the Postal Service uses to make workplace changes and improvements.

We’ll share the results in May, followed by conversations in our workplace and action plans based on the opportunities identified through the survey.

The next Postal Pulse survey will be conducted in August.  However, you don’t have to wait until then to share your feedback.

You can call 844-303-6424 to record a message describing your ideas.

Also, you can email your comments to engagement@usps.gov(“engagement at u.s.p.s. dot gov”).

Additionally, you can go to LiteBlue to submit your feedback.  The “Employee Engagement comment box” is on the home page in the upper left hand corner.

The Postal Service’s employee engagement team receives all suggestions and seeks ways to enact them when appropriate.

Remember:  Your voice matters, so please keep your comments, recommendations and ideas coming.  Thanks for listening, and thanks for all that you do for U.S.P.S.

Falling Prices to Impact Bottomline

The Postal Service will be forced to reduce prices for Forever stamps and other mailing products, effective Sunday, April 10.

The price of mailing a 1-ounce First-Class Mail letter will be 47 cents, down from 49 cents.

Letters with additional ounces will drop to 21 cents (from 22 cents), postcard prices will be 34 cents (from 35 cents), and letters and postcards to international destinations will fall to $1.15 (from $1.20).

Commercial prices will also decrease. The Postal Explorer site at http://pe.usps.gov/ has a complete list. 

The price reductions are required because the Postal Regulatory Commission has ordered USPS to reverse a 4.3 percent exigent surcharge that has been in place since January 2014.

This is expected to worsen the Postal Service’s financial condition by reducing revenue and increasing net losses by approximately $2 billion per year.

“The exigent surcharge granted to the Postal Service only partially alleviated our extreme multi-year revenue declines resulting from the Great Recession, which exceeded $7 billion in 2009 alone,” PMG Megan J. Brennan said last month. “Removing the surcharge and reducing our prices is an irrational outcome considering the Postal Service’s precarious financial condition.”

The Retail and Customer Service Operations Blue Site at has a price change kit that includes a stand-up talk, quick reference sheet and FAQs. This information is available at http://blue.usps.gov/customerservicesoperationsandretail/home.shtml.

Celebrating Career Milestones in WPB

West Palm Beach, FL, A/Manager, Customer Service Operations Pablo Estupinan recognized Downtown Station Letter Carriers Julius Richardson and Carlos Rodriguez for their years of service. Richardson received his Service Award for 30 years and Rodriguez, for 35 years. Estupinan and Manager, Customer Services Valerie Carbone thanked both employees for their dedication to the Postal Service.

  

From left: West Palm Beach, FL, Downtown Station Manager, Customer Services Valerie Carbone, Letter Carriers Julius Richardson and Carlos Rodriguez, and A/Manager, Customer Service Operations Pablo Estupinan strike a pose. Photo: Curlita Rogers-Saunders, West Palm Beach Customer Relations Coordinator

AVP Mossman Selects David Guiney As New Fort Lauderdale Postmaster

David Guiney

Southern Area Vice President Shaun Mossman announced today the selection of David Guiney as Postmaster, Fort Lauderdale, FL. Guiney has been detailed to this position since January 2014.

Guiney is responsible for the overall administrative and operational activity for approximately 1,144 employees at 29 stations, branches and contract units. With an annual operating budget of over $100 million, Fort Lauderdale has approximately 617 city and rural routes combined, providing service to 419,090 delivery points. Last year, Fort Lauderdale generated approximately $217.5 million in total revenue.

           

With over 29 years of service, Guiney started his postal career as a City Carrier Specialist in Boston, MA. He worked as a City Carrier for several years and then made the transition into management, becoming a Supervisor, Customer Services at the Boston Post Office. In 1997, he was named Manager, Customer Services, also at the Boston Post Office. Over the next several years, Guiney added to his experience and knowledge of Customer Services by working in increasingly higher level positions as Manager, Customer Services at the Boston Post Office and Boston-Fenway Carrier Annex and also the Cambridge-Central  Square Main Post Office, Cambridge, MA.

In 2007, Guiney was selected Postmaster, Portland, ME, Post Office. In 2013, he became Postmaster, Hollywood, FL.

Guiney is a graduate of the Advanced Leadership Program (ALP) and is a certified Lean Six Sigma (LSS) Green Belt.

Celebrating National Parks on Stamps

The Postal Service will mark the National Park Service’s centennial with a new pane of 16 stamps June 2.

Each stamp image, representing one iconic national park, will be revealed in alphabetical order during the next three weeks, beginning Monday, April 4.

“These stamps celebrate the 100th anniversary of the National Parks and depict the beauty and diversity of these national treasures,” said Postmaster General Megan J. Brennan. 

“They serve as an inspiration for Americans to visit, learn and to write cherished memories of their trips to these incredible wonders.”

The First-Day-Of-Issue ceremony will occur at the World Stamp Show NY-2016. Dedication ceremonies will take place at or near each of the national parks depicted on the stamps.

“This set of stamps will take people on a journey to some of the most amazing places in the world,” said National Park Service Director Jonathan B. Jarvis. “We are thrilled that the 16 national park stamps issued in ’16 for the Centennial depict the variety of parks that collectively tell the story of our country.”

Recognizing Safe Driving in WPB

West Palm Beach, FL, Ad-Hoc Driving Safety Instructors (DSIs) Craig Boddie, James Timmerman and Stanley “Skip” Weaver were recognized by the National Safety Council with their Safe Driver Award: Boddie, 13 years; Timmerman, 8 years; and Weaver, 17 years. A/Manager, Customer Service Operations Pablo Estupinan congratulated the driving  instructors and thanked them for continuing to promote safe driving with their students.

From left: Ad-Hoc Driving Safety Instructors (DSIs) Craig Boddie and James Timmerman, A/Manager, Customer Service Operations Pablo Estupinan and DSI Stanley “Skip” Weaver. Photo: Curlita Rogers-Saunders, West Palm Beach Customer Relations Coordinator

Blue Lagoon Wins Retail Drawing

From left: Blue Lagoon Branch Retail Associate Qualyn Gibbs; Manager, Customer Services Dorothy Rhodes; Retail Associate Keiyondra White and Lead Retail Associate Raul Herrera. 

Story & Photo: Mirtha Uriarte, Miami Customer Relations Coordinator

South Florida District participated in a nationwide contest, sponsored by Postal Service Headquarters, to promote the sale of gift cards at the retail units. In order to qualify for the daily drawing, units nationwide had to sell at least one gift card. On a daily basis the qualifying unit names nationwide were able to participate in a fishbowl drawing. The South Florida District alone had 124 units participating between Jan. 30 and March 4. .   

South Florida District Retail Manager Sue Walker announced Blue Lagoon Branch as the winner during the daily drawing on Feb. 9. The winning office received a $100 gift card; employees will use gift card to purchase breakfast, lunch or item for their break room. 

Miami, FL, Postmaster Enrique Suarez is proud of Blue Lagoon Branch and encourages all units to generate revenue through the sale of gift cards.

“It’s a convenience that we offer our customers,” said Suarez. “It’s great to be able to shop for a gift card from the vast selection while taking care of their mailing needs."

Sarah Vaughan and All That Jazz

Grammy Award-winning jazz singer Dianne Reeves speaks at the Sarah Vaughan stamp dedication.


The Postal Service dedicated the Sarah Vaughan stamp March 29 in Newark, NJ, the celebrated jazz singer’s hometown.

“As one of the most compelling vocalists in American history, Sarah Vaughan was renowned for her artistic eloquence. Her dynamic vocal range, iconic vibrato and innovative phrasing helped to transform jazz and popular music,” said DPMG Ronald Stroman, who dedicated the stamp.

The ceremony, held at the Sarah Vaughan Concert Hall, featured a video tribute from Tony Bennett and performances from Melba Moore, Carrie Jackson and other singers.

Other participants included jazz singer Dianne Reeves and Newark Mayor Ras Baraka.

Vaughan’s career spanned 50 years and included hits such as “Whatever Lola Wants,” “Broken-Hearted Melody” and “Make Yourself Comfortable.”

Vaughan won a Grammy Award for best jazz vocal performance in 1982 and received a lifetime achievement Grammy in 1989, about a year before her death.